Alphaeus Anderson leads a group of youth in rehearsal at Cornerstone Assembly God. Anderson is the director of Pure N Heart, a gospel choir made up of youth from around the Upstate.

Alphaeus Anderson's long, black dreadlocks bounce in the air as he lifts his head back and shouts, "He keeps lifting me!"

In return, a chorus of children and teenagers shouts back: "Higher!"

Anderson and the children make up the Pure N Heart choir, a group that has traveled the state of South Carolina singing and bringing a positive message about living a life that pleases God.

"He Keeps Lifting Me Higher" is one of the most popular songs on the choir's hit CD, "We are Different!"

Children come from Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson and other communities across the state to participate in gospel music workshops with Anderson. The workshops last for at least two days, and participants perform a concert at the end.

Former participants from several workshops got together in 2007 to sing on the CD. Their efforts have paid off. "We are Different," the title song, is played frequently on local radio stations, amid other songs by popular professional gospel artists. Also, the choir was featured in a recent issue of Gospel Today magazine, a national publication.

"It's awesome," Anderson told the children. "You see (gospel superstars) Mary Mary's photo and then, boom, there you guys are right under them, on the cover."

Anderson teaches the children that having a pure heart can lead to a happier life, one that will give them a different future than children named in the negative statistics they hear.

"We can have a pure heart when we do things that please God, like having a good attitude, getting good grades and using our hands to praise him, not slap other people," Anderson said, holding a red sign with "Matthew 5:8" written on it in large letters.

That Bible verse refers to those who have pure hearts, "for they shall see God."

"See what?" Anderson asked the children, with his hand on his forehead above his eyes. "You've gotta seek him."

He admits his approach is corny, but it works.

"I love working with children because I am like one of them," he said.

Deshante Thurmond, 14, has been singing with Pure N Heart for two years.

"I like it because I get to entertain as well as praise God with my talents," said the rising star. Thurmond sings the lead on two songs on the CD.

Annibrelle Wright, 13, is another choir veteran.

"I like being with other kids that like to praise God," Wright said. "Some of my friends think it is kind of lame, but I tell them ‘Deal with it. It's too bad that I like God and you don't.' "

Debra Evett, whose daughter Chasity sings the lead on "Precious Jesus," said the choir has changed the children for the better.

"The music is so uplifting, and they have the words in their heads all the time," Evett said.

"My daughter is singing on the chorus at school now, she sings in church and she has a lot more confidence."

The CD, photos and other information about the Pure N Heart choir are available at www.purenheartkids.

com.

"We have been blessed to get this music project exposed to people all over the country and the world," Anderson said, his hands waving in the air. "Great things are going to happen for these children. It's going to be awesome."